Zeyneb Larabi

Zeyneb Larabi is a global leader in premium chocolate, known for building brands, communities and lasting partnerships at the intersection of gastronomy, culture and business. With more than 16 years of international experience, she has become a respected voice in travel retail, culinary innovation and leadership. Within the industry, she is known as “Madame Chocolat.”
Zeyneb built her career with leading premium chocolate houses, notably Valrhona, shaping travel retail strategies across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. As Global Retail & Travel Retail Director, she led international teams, developed new markets and worked closely with airports, airlines, duty-free operators and luxury retailers. Her work has always been about more than placing products on shelves: it is about giving them a story, a sense of place and a reason to be remembered.
Now working as a Global Travel Retail Advisor, she brings that perspective to brands and partners looking to rethink how food and gifting fit into the traveller journey. She believes the strongest concepts connect the quality of the product with the people, places and experiences surrounding it.
Based in Dubai, Zeyneb is also an entrepreneur and Partner at Lab Hub Studios, a UAE-based production hub creating bespoke chocolate, confectionery and pastry collections for hospitality, retail and premium brands.
Alongside her advisory work, she supports chefs and businesses in turning original ideas into well-crafted, commercially viable products, from private-label collections and gifting to hospitality collaborations and experiential retail. She is also involved in developing a portfolio of homegrown brands rooted in creativity and craftsmanship.
People remain central to her work. Zeyneb actively supports women in leadership and emerging culinary talent, and regularly contributes to industry conferences, discussions and judging panels. She values mentorship, open exchange and the kind of collaboration that brings together different cultures, disciplines and perspectives. Her approach to leadership combines commercial discipline with curiosity, empathy and a genuine belief in the strength of a team.At the heart of her work is a simple conviction: food is a universal language. It can connect cultures, bring people
together and turn an ordinary moment into something memorable when it is created with intention, integrity and heart.